Religious Freedom in Nepal on a Downward Spiral

ICC Note: Religious freedom in Nepal has been on a downward trend since the adoption of a new constitution in 2015. Additional laws and regulations limiting religious conversions and criminalizing religious offense were added to Nepal’s criminal code last year. This year, for the first time Nepal has been ranked 25th in Open Doors’ World Watch List of countries where it is dangerous to be a Christian.

02/08/2018 Nepal (Forbes) – In early 2015, Nepal became subject of hot debate as the country considered a draft Constitution that enshrined several controversial provisions. The provisions in question had the effect of limiting the right to Nepalese citizenship, diminishing protection of the rights of minorities, and reducing protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief alongside several other critically condemned provisions. Over the subsequent months, the Nepalese Constituent Assembly conducted a public consultation on the draft Constitution, having invited contributions from civil societies and individuals. Despite the public consultation, the serious concerns have not been addressed.

The Constitution was ultimately adopted on September 20, 2015. The approved wording of the Constitution, despite having undergone some amendments, falls significantly short of international human rights standards and is not aligned with Nepal’s international obligations, for example, obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

One of the most controversial provisions is the right to freedom of religion or belief in Section 26 of the Constitution. Extra scrutiny is urgently required as the provision has given rise to subsequent criminal law amendments to enforce the constitutional protection (or lack thereof) of the right to freedom of religion or belief.

Why is Section 26 of the Nepalese Constitution so concerning?

Section 26 of the Nepalese Constitution states that:

(1) Each person shall be free to profess, practice, and preserve his/her religion according to his/her faith.

(2) Every religious denomination shall, maintaining its independent existence, have the right to manage and protect its religious places and religious trusts in accordance with law.

(3) While exercising the right as provided for by this Article, no person shall act or make others act in a manner which is contrary to public health, decency and morality, or behave or act or make others act to disturb public law and order situation, or convert a person of one religion to another religion, or disturb the religion of other people. Such an act shall be punishable by law.

The provision is problematic for several reasons. First, the scope of the right is narrower than currently accepted international standard as it does not incorporate and protect the right to choose and change religion, or not to have a belief. Second, despite the fact that religious profession is safeguarded in Section 26.1, Section 26.3 places significant limits on the practice and manifestation of religion or belief. Indeed, section 26.3 prohibits anyone to act in a manner ‘which is contrary to public health, decency and morality or behave or act or make others act to disturb public law and order situation.’ The reference to acts contrary to public decency or morality are very vague and are left open to broad interpretation, leaving the potential for restrictions upon religious practices that are not accepted or welcomed by the religious majority.

Furthermore, Section 26.3 prohibits religious conversion or even the act of ‘disturbing’ the religion of other. This leaves open potential prohibitions on trying to convert others and curtails an individual’s ability to speak about their religion to others.

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My next door neighbor
A so called
Self proclaimed pastor is into same crapp
I’m a Christian and I’m against conversation from any religion to any other

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." Do we fully believe this? And no, it’s not easy. May we be faithful to pray for them, that God would work in and thru, and despite, the insidious injustices they are forced to endure.

TTERRIBL GOVERMENT OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN ARE TIRANY

Lord Jesus please bring peace and security in India. Amen

Please pray that the BJP government should not win in the upcoming elections.

I can’t stand liars. Praying for our brothers and sisters in India.

How can someone force to change my soul?

Hindus in India basically are innocent souls, but now a days some of them become tool of devil force’s

Dear Father God,
COME GET YOUR CHILDREN

Praying

What utter nonsense. Christians do NOT use FORCE when sharing their faith. It is a personal CHOICE and our duty is to SHARE it with others, THEIR choice is to accept or reject it.

We’ve shared about India’s growing persecution as religious and political tension mounts. This video delves into the recent incidents of Pastor Gideon in southern India, who was apparently hung in his church, and a mob that burned a church in northern India. Please continue to pray for Christians in India to respond in love, to be protected, and to have good communication with non-Christians in their communities. … See MoreSee Less

May we listen and learn. May we not feel overcome with sadness and/or despair, but be faithful to pray for these fellow believers. Jesus told us that such persecutions would come and He holds the answers to every such attack, every such killing. The gates of hell shall not prevail, so we pray for comfort, for courage, for forgiveness, for strength, and for wisdom for all affected. Our God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine, so let’s ask in complete faith, of He, Who is more than able.

Evil spirits blowing across India.
Only prayers & fasting can stop it from turning into Sodom and Gomorrah.

American citizen and pastor Andrew Brunson sits imprisoned in a Turkish prison for his faith. Now, Serkan Golge, a dual Turkish-American citizen, is serving 7.5 years in Turkey’s prisons on false charges on terrorism. Senator James Lankford is calling for the US to impose sanctions in light of Turkey’s actions.

Please continue to pray for Pastor Brunson and other prisoners of conscience in Turkey. More details in Sen. Lankford’s commentary below: … See MoreSee Less

I see death murder and terrorism in country which follow fake character
Go
Follow the real saviour
We will pray for you

Hahaha nobody need your prayers
It is one of the peaceful country on earth
See America daily gun violence and murder all because of following fake character
Follow lord Buddha

See daily shooting in America
They are following a fake and phony religion
We will pray for America
The devil will claim more life in America
Worship the real lord before it’s too late

Praise be to the lord…. 😇

Absolutely beautiful! I will save this song for me! 💗

That is because Christianity bucks ancient Nepal traditions.

How can I find it in you tube? What’s the name of it please?

Beautiful song and worship ❤️🙌🏼

In any language. God is Love!!!!

Really beautiful! Dameria Ehring

America is worst country for Hindus , Buddhism and Muslims
One of the worst country for gun violence they need real saviour
We will pray for them
Come to the real lord Buddha
See devil is killing more innocent lives in America
Stop promoting fake religion and start believing in the one true lord

Just 4 days after the last attack in a series that occurred one year ago, masked gunmen murdered another el-Arish Christian. We remember these men who gave their lives to follow Christ and ask you to join us in praying for their families, communities, and even those who persecuted them.

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